My place in this world

Do you want to be a happy person, effective and fulfilled? A key is something called 'acceptance.' Learning who you are, what you are capable of doing, which spiritual gifts God has invested in you, and how to function well in the situations in which you find yourself demonstrates spiritual and emotional maturity. Do not confuse acceptance with resignation. Some resign themselves to being where they are, but continue to wish they were someone different, living in some other place. Genuine acceptance leads to excellence because it brings contentment and willingness to 'bloom where we are planted!'

I spent too many years wishing for things I did not have and, all the while, missing the opportunities that surrounded me! I now pray for the wisdom to know how to maximize the potential that my present situation presents to me instead of dreaming about being someplace that looks more desirable.

In John's Gospel, we read about a man who knew who God wanted him to be. His name is John, the Baptist. As Jesus became more well known and the crowds following Him grew, some went to John and told him, "Everybody is going to him instead of coming to us." Imagine if John had allowed jealousy to fill his heart. What if he had changed up his message or methods to try to lure the people back? It would have been only natural to have wanted to continue to enjoy the 'success' he had known when hundreds came out to hear him preach. But, there is none of that in this servant of God. His humility and his acceptance should inspire us. Take a look. "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:27-30, NLT)

Will you rejoice in the success of another? Will you accept the place God has given to you today?
If you begin to compare yourself to someone else, if you allow yourself to believe that happiness would come if you owned another's place, you break the 10th commandment which says, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, NIV) James warns about the sorrowful outcome that is inevitable: "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind." (James 3:16, NLT)

What has God given you? Where has He placed you?
Receive it and take the opportunities that come with it. Work to maximize your effectiveness, to develop your skills, to be God's person right where you are. There is great joy in that choice - for you and for those who are all around you. Paul, writing to a younger preacher named Timothy, urged him to avoid the trap of fighting with others to be 'top dog,' and about the lure of having more. He said, "godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6, NIV)

Let the Lord use you - starting right where you are, just as you are. Faithfulness today leads to tomorrow's promotion!